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Man Utd vs Man City LIVE: Premier League derby finished in a dull goalless draw despite chances for both teams

Man Utd 0-0 Man City: The teams shared the points after a tepid affair at Old Trafford

Michael Jones
Sunday 06 April 2025 20:03 BST
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De Bruyne deserves a statue at the Etihad - Guardiola

Kevin De Bruyne’s final Manchester derby ended in a whimper as the two teams played out a goalless draw at Old Trafford and settled for a point each.

The hosts started as the stronger team by utilising their pace on the counter-attack with Patrick Dorgu and Alejandro Garnacho developing a fine partnership on the left wing. Dorgu had a decent chance halfway through the first half but lifted a shot over the top.

Earlier Omar Marmoush, who perhaps had City’s best opportunity in the first half, saw his effort deflected by Harry Maguire before Casemiro sent an effort into the arms of Ederson.

A dull match continued in the second half with neither team pushing hard to get the victory. Phil Foden was clear in the box and poked a chance wide before both goalkeepers were called into action. Bruno Fernandes said United lacked ‘a killer instinct’ and everyone watching one would agree.

Relive the action from Old Trafford in our live blog below:

Ruben Amorim ‘in a rush’ to restore Manchester United’s glory days as he sets title timeline

Ruben Amorim declared that he is in a rush to bring back the glory days to Manchester United but said he would not be crazy enough to think they will win the title next season.

United are 13th as they prepare for Sunday’s Manchester derby but Amorim is adamant they will be much better next year as he insisted he is trading short-term pain for some gain.

Chief executive Omar Berrada launched ‘Project 150’, United’s plan to try and win the Premier League title by their 150th anniversary in 2028, but while Amorim said he does not have a timetable, he will not ask for time and is putting pressure on himself to succeed soon.

Ruben Amorim ‘in a rush’ to restore Man Utd’s glory days as he sets title timeline

Amorim believes he would be ‘crazy’ to think his side can win the Premier League next year but says short-term success is possible
Chris Wilson6 April 2025 15:55

Match facts

Manchester United are aiming to complete their first league double over Manchester City since the 2019-20 campaign.

City's nine away wins at Old Trafford is the most by any side in the Premier League. Five of those victories have come under Pep Guardiola, the most of any visiting manager in the competition.

Chris Wilson6 April 2025 15:45

United and City face off in lowest-calibre Manchester derby for decades

Welcome to Manchester, to borrow a hackneyed phrase. Although the invitation may seem less enticing than it has for quite some time.

“This, without a shadow of a doubt, will be the global capital of football in the rest of the 21st century,” said the mayor, Andy Burnham, last year. He may yet be proved right and the Everton supporter was talking in the context of a new Old Trafford and an expanded Etihad Stadium. But not now.

If Madrid has had a stronger case to be the world’s footballing capital over recent years, Manchester could have regarded itself as England’s unofficial centre. Some 21 of the 32 Premier League titles have gone to Manchester, an era of United dominance followed by one of Citysuperiority. Its twin halves have converged on London for the 2023 and 2024 FA Cup finals. Since the Premier League was founded, United and City have a combined 64 trophies.

Man Utd and Man City face off in lowest-calibre derby for decades

The sad decline of both Manchester clubs illustrates how easily the mighty can fall, as the pair meet to play for little more than pride
Chris Wilson6 April 2025 15:35

Man City line-up to face Man Utd

Man City XI: Ederson, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Gundogan, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Marmoush

Mike Jones6 April 2025 15:18

Man Utd line-up to face Man City

Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Ugarte, Casemiro, Dorgu; Garnacho, Hojlund, Fernandes

Mike Jones6 April 2025 15:17

Team news

We’re expecting the line-ups to come in five minutes, so here’s a reminder of the team news...

Man United’s injury woes have eased since the international break, with defensive pair Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire both making their return in United’s 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest. Amad Diallo, the matchwinner in the Etihad clash, is among the long-term absentees that will miss out, with the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Ayden Heaven also unavailable.

For Man City, Erling Haaland is out after picking up an ankle injury in their FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth. In-form Omar Marmoush will likely start in his stead, a first Manchester derby for the Egyptian. Phil Foden, Bernardo Silvaand Kevin De Bruyne will all be fresh having been unused substitutes in the 2-0 win over Leicester and will be expected to feature in some capacity.

Chris Wilson6 April 2025 15:10

Kevin De Bruyne was the magician who brought personality to the Man City machine

And before we get to the team news, a tribute to City’s retiring Belgian...

Kevin De Bruyne came to Manchester City as their record signing and will leave as their greatest ever player. “Every story comes to an end,” he said, announcing his summer departure. A coda to the last chapter has long seemed obvious. Manchester, he said, will forever be in his family’s hearts and a version of him will surely forever be around the Etihad Stadium. De Bruyne is likely to be immortalised in bronze, celebrated in a statue.

Opponents can admire him there, safe in the knowledge their defence will not be unlocked by an act of extraordinary brilliance. As Pep Guardiola reacted to De Bruyne’s decision, the City manager underlined how productive an artist has been. “I read today that he's been involved in 280 goals and assists,” said Guardiola.

Even more. In a decade, De Bruyne has scored 106 times for City, made a further 176 goals. He predated Guardiola by a year but no one has ever made more goals for the Catalan’s teams than the Belgian, with 161.

Kevin De Bruyne was the magician who brought personality to the Man City machine

If the accusation levelled at Pep Guardiola is that his teams can be too bloodless, beating opponents with perfectly-constructed moves of precise passing, De Bruyne was a throwback
Chris Wilson6 April 2025 15:05

MLS or Saudi? Options for Kevin De Bruyne’s next club after Man City

De Bruyne will go down as one of the all-time Premier League greats after a glittering 10-season spell under Pep Guardiola‘s spell, becoming the focal part of a team that embarked on an era of domestic and European dominance.

The Belgian has so far made 413 appearances for the Citizens during a glory-laden tenure, in which he’s scored 106 goals, notched 174 and racked up a trophy cabinet players can only dream of - with six Premier Leagues and a Champions League title among the 16 trophies he won during his time at the Etihad.

MLS or Saudi? Options for Kevin De Bruyne’s next club after Man City

De Bruyne will leave Man City this summer after a trophy-laden decade at the club
Chris Wilson6 April 2025 14:55

Kevin De Bruyne confirms Man City exit with emotional statement

Kevin De Bruyne has confirmed that he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season after a decade with the club.

De Bruyne, 33, enjoyed a glittering 10-season spell under Pep Guardiola, becoming the focal part of a team that embarked on an era of Premier League dominance.

The Belgian has won 16 trophies since joining from Wolfsburg in 2015, including six league titles as well as a famous club-first Champions League in 2023.

Kevin De Bruyne confirms Man City exit with emotional statement

De Bruyne leaves City as one of the greatest players ever to grace the Premier League
Chris Wilson6 April 2025 14:40

Is the match on TV?

When is Man United vs Man City

The Manchester derby is due to kick off at 4:30pm BST at Old Trafford in Manchester.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage on the channel starting from 4pm BST.

Chris Wilson6 April 2025 14:30

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